Artists condemn nude Net photos
The Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild has condemned the increasing circulation and uploading of obscene photographs, purportedly of celebrities, on the internet.
The latest example was a photo of a partially dressed woman resembling actress Cecilia Cheung Pak-chi. Other victims have included pop star Edison Chen Koon-hei and Gillian Chung Yan-tung, of the girl duo Twins. Speaking after a two-hour meeting, the guild's chairman, Alan Tam Wing-lun, said the issue had been elevated to a social topic.
'The circulation of such obscene photos has created a bad atmosphere in society,' he said.
Tam warned people to take care with their personal digital files.
A guild board member, Astrid Chan Tsz-ching, said obscene photos of members of the public had also been uploaded, setting a bad example to youngsters.
She said the artists involved had yet to get in touch with the guild, but the management company of one had been in close contact.
'We hope the police can find the criminal as soon as possible,' Chan said.
Chen's management company, Rich and Famous, confirmed it had reported the case to the police. Chen is out of town for an indefinite period, a company spokesman said.
Chung's company, Emperor Entertainment, reported the case to the police. Her company insisted the photos were manipulated with computer software.
Barrister Jackson Poon said that if the photos were uploaded overseas to an overseas website - but the photos somehow ended up in a Hong Kong website - it could be difficult to impose punishments even if the uploader was found.
'But if the photos were uploaded overseas to a Hong Kong website, then Hong Kong has jurisdiction over the case.'
Mr Poon said that whether the photos were real or computerised, the party that uploaded the photos could be charged for distributing indecent articles.